Controversial Orlando-Tampa bullet train plan may die

Posted Thursday, June 26, 2003 5:17 AM | Contributed by Jeff

Distracted by a loss of funding and under pressure from Gov. Jeb Bush, high-speed rail officials deferred a decision Wednesday on a controversial route for the Tampa-to-Orlando leg of the state's bullet train. At the same time, the board of the High Speed Rail Authority worked out a plan that might persuade Gov. Jeb Bush to restore to the state budget $7.2-million in operating capital he slashed last week with a line-item veto.

Disney has used its influence to offer a station on-property that would help pay for the rail line by attracting customers, but only if the authority doesn't operate the route through the International Drive area and to competing attractions.